Ode To J. Smith

Performer: Travis (UK)
Engineer: Noah Golding; Emery Dobyns; Bob Ludwig
Producer: Emery Dobyns
Distributor: Fontana Distribution

Notes: Travis (UK): Francis Healy (vocals, guitar); Andy Dunlop (guitar, background vocals); Douglas Payne (bass guitar, background vocals); Neil Primrose (drums, percussion). Personnel: Ian Burdge, Sally Herbert (strings). Additional personnel: Claes Bj�rklund (accordion, piano, keyboards); Crouch End Festival Chorus. Arrangers: Joby Talbot; Sally Herbert. On 2008's ODE TO J. SMITH, Travis largely leaves behind its signature light, lilting melodies (see THE MAN WHO and THE BOY WITH NO NAME), with the Britpop ensemble going for a more restless and amped-up sound. While Travis doesn't follow a heavier aesthetic as naturally as its U.K. peers Coldplay, SMITH is an undeniably immediate album that allows frontman, Fran Healy, to cut loose, often taking a more dramatic approach than his typically laid-back vocals (as on the stomping "Something Anything"). The entire band also responds in kind with notably edgier playing (particularly the jagged guitars and driving rhythms fueling "J. Smith"), easily making ODE one of Travis's most rocked-out offerings.

Alternative Press (p.129) - 4 stars out of 5 -- "The band flex all their muscles from a decade-plus of experience without hesitation and, more importantly, without overdoing it." Billboard (p.29) - "[I]mpressionistic...with frontman Fran Healy wringing out a few philosophical nuggets atop the power chord-led rock groove of 'Chinese Blues'..." Mojo (Publisher) (p.110) - 3 stars out of 5 -- "'Broken Mirror' is best of all, a fragile, slightly psychedelic reverie delivered before a distorted sonic backdrop." Clash (magazine) (p.110) - "'Chinese Democracy' is a cracker of an opener; set at stadium rock pace it strums out like a Britpop classic..."

Glasgow, Scotland's Travis started off as an alt-rock band in 1997 (look no further than the early track "All I Want To Do Is Rock"), but transformed into Britpop songcrafters for their massive sophomore release, THE MAN WHO. Praised by Oasis' Noel Gallagher, Travis became one of the most popular European groups of the early 21st century. Their gentle, melodic approach became a hallmark of the latter-day Britpop sound.

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